ekg certification worth the time and money?

Is it worth spending alot of time and money getting ekg certifications? Or should I just educate myself on it with a book or two plus all the stuff online i can read? I'm still a adn student and thought it would help me get a job after graduation and make nursing easier if I already know it..but at clinicals, noone seems to use it that much and even the real nurses on the floor can't tell much about it.
Ekg interpretation must be done by a physician. Learning to read telemetry will be beneficial to patient care and your marketability.

hmm - whether or not it is 'worth it' or even whether the real nurses use it... is dependent upon where you work. These days, telemetry is available in a lot of different areas in a hospital but in many areas, the staff nurses rely on someone else to monitor rhythms and let them know if there something significant (actionable) going on. If rhythm interpretation is a job requirement, your employer will provide resources to develop & maintain that competency. However, if you have some 'evidence' of proficiency on your resume, it may give you an edge over the other applicants.

Quote from Been there,done thatEkg interpretation must be done by a physician.

Quote from Been there,done thatEkg interpretation must be done by a physician. Learning to read telemetry will be beneficial to patient care and your marketability.

Absolutely TRUE , grn tea.I can look at an ekg , note the criteria for an MI.. however a physician must interpret it before treatment can begin.As far as the "interpretation " done by the ekg computer? No way are those taken into consideration. It's software that I've seen artifact identified as V-Tach.

Use it everyday in the ER. Knowledge is power, only you can decide if its worth it to you.

Quote from Been there,done thatAbsolutely TRUE , grn tea.I can look at an ekg , note the criteria for an MI.. however a physician must interpret it before treatment can begin.As far as the "interpretation " done by the ekg computer? No way are those taken into consideration. It's software that I've seen artifact identified as V-Tach.

Kind of depends on where you work. I work in a cardiac/neuro cath lab, so knowing them is essential. Thus I did a course and researched myself until I had understanding. If I was you, unless you know you want to work in cardiac or ER (somewhere where these will come up), I would not worry about it just yet, or instead research yourself.My employer paid for me to go and do the training, plus some extra training that was required. If you find the courses are expensive, I would also wait until you need it.

I interpret EKG's every day. Other nurses even bring me their 12-leads to "read" for them. I have never had an employer "send me to class" to learn them. In every job I have had as an RN, I have been expected to know it. I think any skill you have is important. I study all the time, and even re-new my EKG reading skills regularly. I agree that you are far more "marketable" by being well-rounded in your skills.

We interpret EKGs all the time, every shift. A MD does not have to confirm rhythm before treatment. We call in AFib, SVT, Vtach allthe time and treat it without the MD ever looking at it.

Quote from 2013SNGradWe interpret EKGs all the time, every shift. A MD does not have to confirm rhythm before treatment. We call in AFib, SVT, Vtach allthe time and treat it without the MD ever looking at it.

No, im saying we give meds to treat AFib, SVT and VTach without a MD seeing the EKG. Of course we call it in to MD and get telephone orders but they dont look at the ekg first, they go by our interpretation.